Page 70 of Sour Notes

If he knew half the things that went on, I know he’d sooner have thrown Pete off the plane then allow him on this island with us.

But I don’t want that for him.

I don’t want his loyalty torn between his twin and his soon-to-be wife.

It’s not fair to him. To them.

Layla can’t help it if her brother’s a dick. They’re definitely not cut from the same cloth, thank fuck.

Besides, it's my problem to deal with, once and for all.

Not theirs.

“He’s right, you do look beautiful. Always.” Swayze leans down and murmurs into my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.

I tried to make an effort tonight, without looking too overdone. The khaki, floor-length spaghetti strap dress with a split that runs to mid-thigh was the perfect not-so-subtle fuck you to the prick who wanted me to dress like—and I quote—“the polished, ladylike wives in the country club.”

The only button-downs I owned were the ones he bought for me, and I absolutely can’t be trusted with cashmere—just ask how many of his sweaters I ruined.

Sorry not sorry.

Besides, I’m firmly team “if you’ve got ‘em, flaunt ‘em.”

And my messy bun is the proverbial cherry on top because Pete never liked it.

He threw my hair ties out multiple times, constantly telling me I should wear my wild waves straightened and down.

I almost cut it all off to spite him when we broke up. Luckily rationality prevailed and I didn’t, because I love my long hair, and fuck if I’m letting him ruin that for me too.

I’ll wear it however I damn well please.

Swayze seems to have no such issues, planting soft kisses on my bare neck when he pulls me in front of him, wrapping his big arms around my waist.

Layla appears beside us, enveloping us in a joint hug, sandwiching me in the middle, given Swayze’s new position as my oversized backpack.

“Thank you both so much for coming out here, We’re so excited to have you with us. Nicky was telling me about this little development.” She wiggles a finger between the two of us. “I wish I’d bet on it. He couldn’t believe that I wasn’t surprised, but I always remember thinking there was a little spark there. I could see it in how this big guy looked at you, Mia. It was enough to make my heart race.” She laughs, bouncing on the spot excitedly.

Wait. What?

I’ve not seen her since Pete and I broke up, and the only time—well, times—anything happened with Swayze, we were totally alone. There’s no way she could’ve known.

I smile tightly, swallowing my automatic denial.

Everything in me wants to ask all the things. Figure out what she thinks she saw when we've only ever been friends around her. But obviously that would sound suspicious considering his current boyfriend status.

I can’t very well deny a spark, can I?

Swayze tightens his arms around my waist, nuzzling the top of my head with his lips.

“Busted. I was half in love with her from the day she moved next door when we were kids.”

Layla grins at my brother, silently mouthing the word see. They talk a little more before disappearing to mingle with the rest of the family, but I couldn’t tell you what was said. Not with Swayze’s words playing on a loop in my mind instead. They sound so honest.

What would that have been like if it were true?

If he’d been the one to pick me all those years ago instead of Pete?

Would we be standing here just the same—only, he’d really be mine, and I his?